Machine for molding



NPETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAFHEH. WASHINGTON. D C.

"UNrri-cn STATES PATENT unice.

ALBERT JEFFERS, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

MACHINE FOR MOLDING, ROUNDlNG, AND CHANNELING SOLES OF BOOTS AND SHOES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 83,172, dated October 20, 156:2.l

To all whom tt may concer/n:

Beitknown tha-t I, ALBERT JEFFERS, of Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachnsetts,have made an in vention of a new and useful Machine for Molding, Rounding, and Channeling the Soles ot' Boots and Shoes previous to being applied to the uppers; and

I do hereby ticolare the followin g to be a full,

clear, and exact description thereof, due reference being had to the accompanying drawings, makingpartofthis specication,and in which- Fignre l is a front elevation, Fig. 2 is a side` elevation, Fig. 3 a vertical central and longitudinal section, and Fig. 4 a vertical and transverse section, of the machine comprising the subject of my present invention. Fig. 5 is a plan, Fig. 6 an inner end elevation, and Fig. 7 .an outer end elevation, of the head-stock,77 so-called, of the machine, or that portion of it carrying the channeling and rounding tools or cutters, to be hereinafter described. Fig. 8 is a face view of cam; Fig. 9, a. side elevation of the clutches, to be hereinafter described. Fig. 10 is a bottom View of the segmental block, to be hereinafter described.

The object of my present invention is to embrace, or comprise in one machine mechanism for performing' the operations of molding, chaunelingf7 and rounding the soles of boots and shoes, as they are technically termed, the former consisting in forming or shaping the surface or area of the sole to [it the bottom of a last, the second in cutting a groove or channel for reception of the stitching or sewing in securing the sole to theupper of the boot, while the latter consists in cutting around the edge of the sole in order to conform it to the outline of the last to which it is to be applied.

For the purpose of clear elucidation and explanation of the machine, and to enable persons skilled in the craft towhich it appertains to make and use such machine, the following description ofits construction and operation may,

be divided into two parts, the rst being thaty for jfmolding the sole, andthe second that 'of' channeling and rounding such sole.

In the various guresot' the drawings before mentioned as accompanying this specification and illustrating my invention like figures indicate like parts.

Beginning with the molding portion of the machine, the reader, by referring to these drawings, will see that the frame ofthe machine is shown by the letter A as of a suitable size and form to receivethe operative parts,to be hereinafter described, its general form in front elevation being similar to that of the well-known McKay sewing-machine, now in extensive use forsewin g together the sole and upper of a'boot or shoe,'and to which my present invention is a very valuable adjunct. The frame A, in its general construction, is composed of two legs 0r standards, ct a, united at top by two horizontal hars or rails, b b, upon which is xed a broad, Hat table or platform, c.

The driving-shaft of the machine is showin at d as Aproperly supported andrevolvingin boxes e e affixed to thelower part of the standardsc a, before mentioned, the drivin g-shaft being disposed parallell to and in alignmentwith the table c, before mentioned, such shaft being provided between the standards with a drum or pulley, j', for driving a portion of the machinery, and having affixed toits rear extremity a fast and loose pulley, g h, the former of whichY is the driving-pulley ot' the shaft d, a proper iiy-wheel, t, being aftixedto such shaft.

The upper part ofthe main standard or double goose-neck a of the machine is provided at its rear side and at the center thereof with a box-bearing, j, for supporting an upright sliding shaft, It', such shaft 7c depending from the center of a cross-head, Z, disposed parallel to and above the standard a, such cross-head being connected to a second cross head or bar, on, disposed parallel to it and between the table c, and supported upon guides t5 a, the two crossheads being connected by upright rods a mas represented, and forming therewith arectan gular sliding frame, B, the stiffness of the lower cross-head, and consequently the strength or power of the trame, being regulated by v an arched spring, o, applied to the upper surface of such cross-head, the tension of such spring being regulated by screws and nuts properly applied to the two.

VThe sliding frame B is maintained in its highest altitude under all conditions, except those hereinafter named, by means of a'heavy weight,p, disposed below the table c, and communicated with the lower cross-head, m, by

Y l` A. lumi A...-

chains q q, which pass over pulleys r r, revolvingnpon studs affixed to the outer sides of the rails b b, before mentioned.

To the under side of the lower cross-head is pivoted a tripper or hooked bar, s, the hook t of which acts in conjunction with ricain-groove, u, ofthe form shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, and upon the front face of a flat circular disk,

o, fixed upon the driving-shaft dand in rear ofk y the tripper s.

A moldingblock, w, is affixed by a swiveling or ball-and-socket joint tothe lower end. of

the upright shaft k, before mentioned, the under or bearing surface of this molding-block being of like shape with a supporting-bed or :forming-.last to be presently referred to, such molding-block, as well as the forming-last, corresponding in form to the tread ofthe lastupon v.which Ithe boot is to be made.

yThe molding-block is to vbe secured to the Shaft lcv-in such manner as to allow of a slight f movement in any direction, in-order to insure its perfect adjustment to the upper surface of .theformin g last or diebefore alluded to. This forming last o r bed is shown at @o as supported by means of posts yy upon the upper surface of `a dovetailed sliding carriage or bar, z, which V.slides in a dovetail slot oropening, a2, outlongitudinally and centrally of the table c of the machine, the upper surface of such blockbeing furnished with a series of pointed studs,.b b', &c.,forretaining the sol'e tirmly in place thereon while undergoing the rounding and channeling process.

The re'ar part or standard, y', of the forminglastw extends through a slot, c', ofthe sliding carriage z and below such carriage, while' .through the lower end of the .post,.and below .the carriage, and yin alignment therewith, is screwed. a long male screw, d', cut upon a horizontal shaft, e', such shaftfbeing supported .at each end vin bearingsff depending from the under side of the table cot' the machine, and' soas to revolve freely therein. This screw is `vfor effecting` reciprocating or backward and forward .movementsof the forming or. supportings-that is, with their outer peripheries composed of a pulley, i', anda grooved disk, j' or jz. Around the pulley of the foremost clutch h v.and .thedrum f of the driving-,shaft before .mentioned an endless belt, 7c', travels, ,while around the pulley of the foremost clutchy h2 and the said drum fa cross-belt, l,travels, the two belts thus serving to revolve thel t-wo clutches in opposite directions from eachother.

A shipper yfor actuating or reversing vthe .clutch is shown at c as composed of'a long bar or rod, in, sliding in bearings a a made 4porting bed w.

nected with the clutches h h2 bylmeans of two immediately below the bearings f f of the shaft @,lbefore mentioned, such shipping-bar being provided with stops o o2, formed upon it and disposed upon opposite sides of its bearings nf, one or both of such stops being adjustable, and their position with respect to the bearing a being so disposed or maintained as to regulate the length of movement of the sole-sup- This shipping-lever is conforked uprights, p p2, which straddle the groove-disks of such clutches, as shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, it being understood that the construction of the semi-clutches h h2 and the collar j of the screw-shaft e are substantially the same as that of ordinary clutches now in constant use, and with which all ineehanics are familiar. The above constitutes the portion of the machine designed for molding the sole.

We now come to that portion of the machine Adesigned for rounding and channeling, and which is constructed as follows:

A circular dovetailed groove, g', i-s formed within the upper surface ofthe table cof the machine or within an extension orbaseathereof, such groove being concentric with -theheel and toe of the forming or supporting last or bed :r'when in the extreme of its movement, the outline of such groove being in this instance the form of a circle or appertaining thereto.

Within the groove q is disposed a segmental dovetailed supporting-block, s', and tothe upper surface of thissegmental block is affixed the inner end of a lever plate or carriage, a3, the outer end of such lever plate being provided with a handle, w,for causing a semi-.revolution of such platevand its mechanism about the heel and'toe-of the last at the proper times.

A second flat plate or carrier, e', is disposed upon the top of the lever plate a3, and maintained in place thereon by two ledges or ribs, w w', formed upon such plate a3, and so as to allow'of backward and forward movementsof the carrier o thereupon, a zigzag or other proper-shaped spring,'u4, being placed between the outer end of the carrier e and the handle of the plate ua, and serving by its extensile power to force such carrier inward. Still another and third grooved plate, x', is swiveled at its inner `end to the upper surface, and at the inner end ofthe carrier e', and so as to -be capable of swingingv horizontal movements thereon, the said plate x being furnished at its inner end with two friction pulleys,ry2`y2,

.which bear against the edge oroutline of lthe supporting-bedx. y

A carriage, z,is disposed upon the upper .surface ofthe plate w, and sliding within and guided by its groove, which is-.dovetailed`, such .carriage z'being forced inward and toward the supporting-bed x by two coiled springsfot2 a3, placed upon opposite sides thereof, one extremity of such spring being affixed to theiinner end of the swiveling plate x', the opposite extremity of the spring being attached to the outer end of the carriage z', orto the lower ends of two arms, b2, depending from a horizontal shaft, c2, supported in bearings d2 d2 aflfixed to the `rear end of the carriage z', this lshaftt2 being provided with a handle, e2, for partially rotating it, the object of applying the prings a2 a3 to the shaft c2 in this manner being torelease the action of the springs upon the carriage or to bring them into play, as occasion requires. 4

The carriage z is furnished ateach end with two upright posts, z c', such posts being for the support of a toolcarrier, g2, which slides freely thereon, such tool-carrier being depressed toward the carriage z' by coiled springs applied to the two, as shown inthe drawings, and also by a long bent spring, 2, one end of which is applied to the shaft c2, before mentioned, its free end being carried forward and resting upon the upper surface of the said toolcarrier g2.

The handle e2 of the shaft c2 is brought into a vertical position and confined to one of the posts f2 by a hook, jl, applied thereto, which presses againstthe spring i2 and forces it upon the tool-carrier-with considerable pressure, at the same time partially revolving the shalt c2, and by retractin g its arms b2 also extends the spring a3 and causes them to exert their power to advance the carriage z', and with it the tool-carrier g2. The carriage z carries at its inner end, and between and immediately in advance of the friction-rollers y2 an upright knife or rounding-tool, k2, the obj ect of this knife or roundingtool being to cut the sole close to the edge of the supporting-last m. Furthermore, a horizontal rocker shaft, b2, is supported in bearings made in the lower part of the tool-carrier g2, such rocker-shaft being given an upward and right-angular bend,a2, and carrying a cutter-head, m2, such cutter-head being swiveled to the shaft Z2, or its bend, in order to allow of such cutter-head being turned upward out of contact with the sole at certain times. This cutter carries the channeling-tool shown at o3 in the drawings.

As the construction and operation of the channeling-tool are fully explained in Letters Patent'of the United States issued to William Duchemin and myself for an improved mode of channeling soles, a detailed description of its form and use is not considered necessary or pertinent part of this specification. I would remark, however, that the channelingtool is to he applied to the cutter-head in such manner and in combination with a movable guide i as to allow of its position with respect to the cutter-head and guide being changed or varied in order to regulate the depth of the channel to be cut, and for other purposes. l willcall the readers attention to the fact that the segmental supportingblock sf' has a segmental slot, p2, cut a short distance in one end of its under surface, as shown in Fig. 11

0f the accompanying drawings, the end of this slot being provided with a recess or hole, q2, for reception of two locking bolts or pins, which play within orifices made in the tablec of the machine, these locking-bolts being connected with the revolving screw and with the movements of the supporting-bed x in such manner or so operated by a suitable device as to alternately lock into the depression q2 ofthe block s after such block and its mechanism have completed the circuit of the heel or toc of the bed x, and serve to lock such block and its mechanism firmly in position while the vlongitudinal movement of the sole is taking place by the action ofthe revolving screw, it being understood and will be apparent that the sides of the sole are trimmed and grooved by the action of the screw forcing such sole against the cutting and groovin g tools, while the heel and toe ofthe sole are cut by the hand of the operator forein g such tools in a circular path about the heel and toe of the bed sc.

I would call attention 'to the fact that the table c is or may be applied to the form ,of the machine in any adjustable manner, and also that the molding-block fw and the bed or die a' are also applied in a movable manner, in order toallow of their ready removal for the substitation of different sizes, and would also state, although the intelligent reader will probably understand, that these two port-ions of the machine are directly opposite each other.

The operation of the above-described machine, which, though voluminous, is necessary to a'complete understanding of its construction, is as follows: The sole-blank or piece of leather, having previously been moistened by immersion in water, is to be placed upon the forming last or bed, or upon the top of its points b, &c., the position of the forming-bed being as shown in the drawingsthat is, the extreme inward point of its movementthe head-stock of the machine also being in position at the right of the operator, as shown in the drawings. The sole-blank or piece of leather to be manipulated is to be placed upon the upper surface of the forming-bed m or upon its points b, &c., and the plate z and cutterhead g2 being retracted or removed from proximity to the bed. depressed by a persons hand and until the hook t of the tripper s is caught'by or takes into the cam-groove n of the disk fu, such groovefbeing of a scroll form, as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. A revolution of this camgroove has the effect of lowering the frame b, and with it the p molding-block w, which is pressed forcibly upon the sole, and, by clamping it between such molding-block and the forming last or bed af with great pressure, serves to conform the sole to the shape of the last, the points of which serve to securely hold it thereto. As the cam-groove completes its revolution the hook of the tripper s frees itself from such groove and allows the gravity of the weightp, or any other suitable mechanical conlhe frame B is then to be trivance capable of producing thc same result,

to elevate the frame b, and with it the moldingblock w, to its normal position, or that shown in the drawings. Next the plate z and cutterhead g2 are to be permitted to be forced forward by their respective springs, and so that'the knife k2 impinges against the edge of the bed a', and with a channeling-tool, 02, pressed down upon the upper surface of the sole and near its edge with considerable pressure, the frictionrollers fzfz, as before observed, beariugagaiust the edge of the bed x and serving to keep the knife k2 parallel to or closely up against the said edge of the bed. The shipping-bar mis now pushed in toits farthestextent, which has the effect oi'throwing the clutch h into connection with the collar g of the screw e in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 4 of the drawings,or in a like direction with that of the driving-shaft of the machine. This revolution of the screw has the effect of advancing the bed fr, and with it the sole, which, b v being drawn along in contact with the knife k2, is out away closely up to the edge of the bed, the channeling-tool 02 atthe same time taking into the upper surface of the sole and forming the channel for reception ot' the stitching; The continued revolution of the screw advances the sole and the bed x until a stud or bar, s, affixed to the lower part of' the post y of such bed strikes against the inner stop, o', of the tripper-bar mf, when such shipping-bar is also advanced until the clutch his removed from contact with the collar g and the sole and its bed allowed to remain stationary, the lockingpin 'r2 being at this point depressed and leaving the segmental block s free to revolve partially within the groove q, the stop of the shippinglever being so arranged with respect to the size of the bed x that its movements shall be stopped at such a time as to leave the knife k? at the beginning of the circular or toe portion of suoli bed. The operator now seizes the handle u', and by turning the segmental block s within its groove causes the headstock, and consequently1 the. rounding and channeling tools, to describe a semicircular path about the toe of the sole and the bed tr, and thus cut and channel such toe of the sole in the same manneraswiththesidebeforedeseribed. Theheadstock is now upon the opposite side of the sole, or at the left ofthe operator, who now pulls out the shipping-harm to its farthest extent. This forces the clutch h2 into contact with the collar got the shaft c', such shaft e', by means of the cross-belt Z', being revolved in an opposite direction to that first described, this revolution of the screw causing a retrograde movement of the sole and its supporling-bed,or toward the rear of the machine, while simultaneous with the beginning of this retrograde movement the opposite locking-piu, r2, is forced into the 're-` cess qz of the segmental block s in the same manner as at first, and locks the head-stock and its tools in the position last mentioned.

The screw continues to revolve and force the bed :v rearward until the rear standard or post, y', of the bed x comes in contactfwith a tripping-block, x', fixed to the under side of the sliding carriage z, and by forcing such tripping-block into contact with the clutch h' forces it and its fellow clutch rearwardV until the latter is removed from connection with the collar g and the screw allowed to revolve rwithout further actuating the bed x, thepin i' at this point being lowered and the segmental block .9 being left free to revolve, it being, of course, understood that during the last or rearward movement of the bed w and the sole the latter hasbeen roundedand channeled in the same manner as upon theopposite side of such bed. The operator now seizes the handle u and causes the head-stock. and its cutting i and channeling tool to describe a semicircular path about the heel of the sole, and trimming and channeling the heel of such sole, thus having made the entire circuit of such sole and made a complete channel for reception of the l stitching, this last movement ofthe head-stock bringing it into its original position at the right of the operator and of the machine. The plate z and the tool-carrier g2 are now to be removed from contact with the sole, or into the position shown in the drawings, and the sole removed from the bed lrand a new blank substituted. The sole thus removed will be found to have received a perfect impress of the bed x, as well as to havebeen cut to the outline of' such bed, and with an endless channel cut in it. I would call the readers attention to the fact that a de tlector or fender, u2, is applied to the front standard of'the machine, Vand between it and the cam-disk '0, before mentioned, and disposed with respect to the latter in sucli manner that upon descent of the hooked tripper s its' hook shall be deflected into the cam-1' groove u, and upon being released from the cam-groove the tr'ipper shall pass up against the outside of' the said deflector u2 until it reaches its highest position, or nearly so, the inner terminus ofthe bot-tom of the cam groove being inclined outward for the purpose ot' ef fecting such a result. The advantages of the machine comprising the subject of my present invention consist, i as before prefaced, mainly in the factthat, as the three operations are combined in one machine and the work performed in one complete movement or circuit of the working parts of such machine, the number of machines is reduced to one-third the number now required to do the same work, with a consequent diminution of the amount of capital required to conduct the business. It also diminishes to l about that extent the sizeof the room occupied by sueh machines, witha consequent diminution in the amount expended for rent' of such rooms or building, the number of operators being reduced to about one-third the number heretofore required, making a saving offe'xpense of great magnitude. The work is f/also performed by the machine in the most thorough and perfect manner.

Having thus described the construction, operation, and advantages of my present invention, what I claim as being novel and original with myself, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the' United States of America, is as follows: Y

l. The combination, in an organized machine, of mechanisms for moldin g and for channelin g and rounding a sole, under the arran gement and for operation substantially as'herein set forth.

2. As a means of molding a sole, the combination of the molding-block 'w and the supporting last or bed the former being supported by and swiveled to the sliding frame b and operated by the cam-groove 16,01' its equivalent, and the latter provided with a series of points or spurs, 1) b', 87o., the Whole being substantially as hercinbefore referred to and explained.

3. For actuating the movements of the slid-v ing frame b, the combination of the weight or by the shipping bar -m and its adjnncts, for the purpose as hereinbefore referred to and explaned.

6. In combination with the last-described arrangement of parts, the employment of the locking-bolts r2, actuated by a suitable device, the purpose of such bolts being as before eX- plaiued.

7. The head stock of the machine, as composed of the segmental dovetailed block S', the supporting lever plate or carriage t', the plate or carriage o', the swiveling plate w', the carriage z', and the tool-carrier g2, under the general combination and arrangement as bcfore alluded to and described.

8. rEhe mode of applying the carriage e' to the swiveling plate fr before described-that is, by means of the coiled springs a3 a3, applied to the shaft as explained, the latter being provided With the lever or handle, in manner as before set forth, and in combination with the springs a3 as, shaft c2, and handle e2, the employment of the bent spring i2, in manner and n operating as before explained.

9.V Applying the cutter-head u2 to its supporting-carriage in such manner as to turn it into a vertical position or to remove it from contact with the bed w, essentially as described.

10. In combination with the swiveling plate x, the employment of the friction-rollers y2 y2 for the purpose of maintaining the cuttingknife k2 parallel to the edge of the bed m, as before explained.

ALBERT JEFFERS.

Witnesses GEO. A. LORING, FRED. Gnarls. 

